Pregnancy is when you may experience some problems that you have never had before, such as vaginal yeast infection. Even if you don’t have a history of yeast infection, you can develop it during pregnancy, especially in the first and second trimesters.
For most pregnancy-related problems, hormonal changes are often held directly responsible. In some cases, these hormonal changes can be blamed for an infection. Do you want to know the causes, consequences, and treatment of this condition? In the following FastlyHealarticle, we talk about yeast infection during pregnancy.
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Table of Contents
Yeast infection in pregnancy: causes
During pregnancy, vaginal fluids undergo many chemical changes, and these changes in secretions can lead to infections. It’s normal for blood sugar levels to be on a roller coaster ride, and these sharp variations can promote the growth of yeast cells in the vagina. Yeast cells need sugar to feed themselves, and when their sugar levels are high, the cells are in a perfect breeding ground. Yeast infection in pregnancy can be multifactorial. That is, it can be due to some conditions simultaneously. Here we explain some of these possible causes:
- Hormonal changes at the time of pregnancy or hormonal intake.
- The intake of antibiotics or steroids.
- High sugar levels are something familiar in pregnant women.
- The vaginal douches.
- Intercourse, semen, and blood.
Candidiasis in pregnancy: symptoms
The symptoms of candidiasis in pregnancy are various below we explain some of the most common:
- Vaginal secretions such as discharge appear whitish and with a texture similar to cottage cheese.
- The smell of the release may be reminiscent of bread or yeast.
- In other cases, the discharge may be yellow or greenish, and the texture is also similar to cottage cheese.
- The amount of flow is more abundant.
- The vaginal lips look red.
- Itching and irritation appear on the vaginal lips.
- Vaginal burning occurs when urinating and when having intercourse.
However, this does not mean that you have a yeast infection if these symptoms appear. These same symptoms also manifest in conditions such as:
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or chlamydia.
- Vaginosis bacteria.
That is why before the appearance of these symptoms, it is essential to visit your gynecologist to examine your vaginal secretions to be able to diagnose what type of infection you suffer and to be able to treat it properly.
Candidiasis in pregnancy: risks
You do not have to worry excessively, and yeast infection is usually one of the most ordinary things in pregnancy due to increased estrogens and changes in blood sugar levels. If you detect it and treat them correctly, this condition will not affect you or the baby’s health.
It has not been shown that there is any risk to the baby while carrying it. Yes, it is possible that it can be infected during childbirth. Hence it must be treated quickly. However, there is no risk of premature delivery or miscarriage or the baby being infected through the umbilical cord.
Fungi in pregnancy: treatment
Yeast infections can occur from douching, sexual intercourse, and even taking some antibiotics. Do not worry excessively. These types of diseases do not usually cause any harm to the pregnancy. However, getting it treated early is very important. Try not to use any medication to make the infection disappear without your doctor’s consent.
Your doctor may prescribe topical treatments that come in powders, creams, and suppositories. The medicinal oral can be defined only in extreme cases, where the discomfort is very high. These drugs treat the infection without “passing through” the baby. Although some of these medications are available without a prescription, you should never risk self-medication during pregnancy.
Self-medication is never recommended, but at a time like pregnancy, when two lives depend on your action, it is more important than ever that a doctor’s opinion supports any decision you make.
Prevention of vaginal yeast infection
Beyond medical treatment, there are a series of measures that you should take into consideration to prevent the appearance of vaginal candidiasis, especially in the case of recurrent infections:
- Wear cotton underwear that is breathable and not too tight.
- Maintain regular and correct intimate hygiene.
- After washing, dry your genital area thoroughly.
- When you defecate, always wipe from front to back.
- When swimming, shower immediately and remove wet clothing as quickly as possible.
- Never use douches.
- Don’t use sprays, sanitary pads, colored or scented toilet paper, and tampons with deodorant.
- Limit your sugar intake as much as possible.
- Rest the necessary hours.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Yeast infection during pregnancy, we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.